Sorrows - Lethe EP (2011)

Band: Sorrows
Country: USA
Style: Black Metal
Label: Independent

Opening with an almost classical sound, this album defys the tag of simplistic black metal. Coming from a more melodic, but minimalistic, sounding black metal, it's actually the atmospherics on this EP that really grabbed me and made me listen. This is not another dime-a-dozen black metal projects with a really lo-fi sound or one that's trying to do the shoegaze thing, this project screams of originality.
In order to clairfy the above statement, the atmosphere on this EP does contain a classical sound, but it's far from sounding like a symphonic black metal band. The atmospherics feel much more developed than what's now mocked by many fans of the genre for it's unoriginality among bands. The two tracks on here have not only the usual atmosphere that lurks behind aggressive sounding guitars and vocals, but more prominent keyboard work, like the piano on Chalk.
Overall, I could see this project going places and am looking forward to a full-length soon. Seeing as their sound is already pretty developed, I'd love to see them do a bit more experimenting, but if it were just this, I'd be happy. If you like atmospheric black metal, that's a bit experimental, definitely check this thing out.
Overall Score: 8
Highlights: Lethe

Times of Grace - The Hymn of A Broken Man (2011)

Band: Times of Grace
Country: Worcester, Massachusetts
Style: Alternative Metal/Metalcore
Label: Roadrunner Records

Founded by Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who created the project while hospitalized, he ended up writing most of these songs, in one form or another, and enlisted former KSE vocalist, currently in The Empire Shall Fall, Jesse Leach to do vocals on here. For anyone that's been disappointed with the last few Killswitch Engage records more melodic and mainstream sound, this is not going to cure that, but it's definitely a lot more diverse than what KSE have done recently. This album definitely has the KSE signature sound, but actually manages to sound a lot heavier while retaining a very melodic core.
While most of the music on here is done in a very typical fashion, by that I mean it's melodic and it's not going to vary too much from a traditional song structure, I found Jesse's vocals being the deciding factor in making this album much more accessible, to me. While I am a fan of KSE with Howard Jones, I think that Jesse has a better range and is the better singer of the two, personally. His vocals range from more gravely growls to bluesy croons to very melodic and soulful singing, all of which can be heard on Fight For Life. I think fans will be pleased to hear Adam D. singing on here, even doing lead vocals on a few tracks, as I know some were disappointed by his vocals being left out of the last KSE record. Probably the thing that really stood out to me on here were the harmonies used, they're done in KSE fashion, but they sound so much better when Adam is harmonizing with Jesse, hear Live In Love for example.
Concerning the instrumental side of this project, while I said it retains it's KSE backbone, I also said it was more diverse than KSE, both of which are true, tracks like Where The Spirit Leads Me and definitely have that signature KSE guitar riffing pattern. Adam's guitar playing on here has a more soulful approach than I've heard in his main band. Tracks like Until The End of Days and The End of Eternity are some of the most atmospheric and quiet songs I've heard from a metalcore record. The Forgotten One definitely stands out on here, being an acoustic track with a very bluesy/gospel feel, something I've never heard many metal bands, let alone metalcore bands, do before.
Overall, I really enjoyed this record, it has a lot of really catchy choruses, I a sucker for a good chorus, and some cool riffs that stand out. I know there will be some that won't check out this album simply because it's associated with metalcore, but there are some really great songs on here none-the-less. If you like melodic, catchy, and diverse sounding metal, definitely, definitely check this album out.
Overall Score: 8.5
Highlights: Willing, Hymn of The Broken Man, Worlds Apart

Helrunar - Sól (2011)

Band: Helrunar
Country: Münster, Germany
Style: Progressive/Pagan Black Metal
Label: Lupus Lounge/Prophecy Prod.

I guess even Helrunar figured that making their fans wait for a new full-length for almost four years, they would have to deliver their best album yet. After 2007's "Baldr ok Íss" booster their status and spread their profile to those across the globe, they return with this year's most ambitious double-album so far. With that on the table, right off the bat, it's going to be obvious to anyone that this will either be the crown-jewel in the band's discography, so far anyway, or a failure of the highest degree.
This album is the band's most progressive yet, with a lot more variation in the riffs, structures, and overall tone. I would assume it's pretty apparent by the song lengths for both albums, with the average length of a song being about eight minutes. Despite that, the band still retain the signature elements of their black metal oriented roots, with aggressive tremolo picking, pounding double-bass drumming, and raspy vocals, hear the thrashy Ende 1.3 or the more traditional sounding Die Mühle for a taste of this side of the band. Meanwhile, a track like Tiefer Als Der Tag or recall their more folk influences, utilizing acoustic guitars and a more sombre and melancholic atmosphere.
What I found to be the most impressive thing about this album is that it doesn't feel nearly as long as it actually is. You have songs on here that top ten minutes, yet none of them ever feel like it's all that long, tracks like Rattenkönig for example. I found that with that track in particular, the band managed to make the metal sections feel very urgent and paranoid, if that makes sense, while it's softer and more atmospheric moments captured a more bleak sound. I'd have to say that when listening to the entire two albums, the second one comes off as a lot more atmospheric and progressive, while the first one has a much more aggressive sound to it.
Overall, this was a very good album with very few parts that I didn't personally care for. A lot of really good songs and playing can be found on here, despite it's length, I think it's still very much worth looking into. If you like black metal with a bit of a prog edge, without being a prog band that is, I'm referring to Enslaved, then definitely check this album out.
Overall Score: 8.5
Highlights: Nebelspinne, Tiefer Als Der Tag, Rattenkönig, Sól

Muir - Lay Down In The Light EP (2011)

Band: Muir
Country: Melbourne, Australia
Style: Ambient/Post-rock
Label: Independent

This isn't heavy, this isn't aggressive, this isn't even all that loud, so if you're expecting anything that's really "rock", you might be a bit disappointed by this. This is an album that focuses a lot more on textures and ambiance rather than heavy riffs or catchy melodies. Not to say they aren't there however, the ten minute Raising Flags has some really sombre melodies on it that really hit home for me. I say that even though these songs don't ever really get loud or rocking, the build like most post-rock groups do, as layers of guitar melodies and synthes enter a song as it evolves.
Though a bit preemptive, I'll say that there wasn't a song on this EP that I didn't like, they really capture the essence of post-rock and ambient music fusions. Most groups trend on one side of the two and don't really come across as full as this project does. The tremolo picking of Breathing (Part 1) and the droning sounds in the background of A Collection of Cities, it all just makes a perfect mood, to me at least. This is the type of record that just takes listeners to another world, it's an absolutely fantastic release that just takes me away.
Overall, I would highly recommend this EP to any fan of post-rock or ambient music. This is the sound of an artist whose career is only just beginning, and hopefully a full-length only improves his songwriting abilities. If you like the above genres, definitely, definitely listen to this album.
Overall Score: 8
Highlights: Raising Flags, A Collection of Cities

Keith Merrow - Awaken The Stone King (2011)

Band: Keith Merrow
Country: Portland, Oregon
Style: Progressive/Tech Metal
Label: Independent

For those that are out of the loop with what Keith Merrow's been doing in recent years. Having released what is possibly one of the most highly regarded tech metal/djent albums to come out in 2009, his debut "The Arrival." Being entirely instrumental and attracting attention from scenes outside of that one, from prog metal to death metal to even fans of fusion, you can imagine how this guy sounds.
Despite being lumped in with the whole djent scene, Merrow does little to actually identify with it. Unlike the Meshuggah influenced sounds that come from that scene, Merrow appears make use of everything from traditional prog-metal to death metal, and while his debut had some more Sikth influenced riffing, this new album sees the two genres mentioned above taking a bigger part in his sound. These songs aren't as technical as his older ones are but instead feature a much more defined progressive metal sort of sound, not to say that there aren't some technical sounding riffs on here, listen to tracks like Heart of The Sea Nymph. Having Jeff Loomis play a guest solo on that track in particular also helps solidify his place in modern prog metal.
The overall feel of this album, from what I've heard myself and read in other's comments about this new album, is that is a bit more atmospheric and, to me anyway, more diverse and more melodic. While I think the tech metal tag was justified on his debut, this new album includes his death metal influences, Braving The Dunes, progressive metal, Stone King (The Awakening II), and actual technical metal, Paramount Asmodeus. All of these styles are done in a way that retains Merrow's own stylistic signatures as well as being used very melodically as well.
I'm sure that this album has not lived up to the hype and standards that a lot of people probably put on it, but it's solid nonetheless. This is a much more adventurous album and one that should definitely be listened to from start to finish. If you like progressive metal in any shape or form, definitely check this album out.
Overall Score: 8.5
Highlights: Heart of The Sea Nymph, People of The Bog, Stone King (The Awakening II)

Birds In Row - Cottbus EP (2011)

Band: Birds In Row
Country: France
Style: Hardcore/Sludge
Label: Throatruiner Records

After the surprisingly quiet intro portion of the intro track, Among The Ashes, the second half just jumps up with a ferocity, having plenty of that hardcore punk energy. There's something to be said for a good old fashion hardcore punk album, I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the hardcore genre, there's the odd band I'll find that's cool or that I like, but for the most part, I'm fairly indifferent to it, this album has what I like when I find a good band. There's plenty of high energy tracks on here that really got my blood pumping; in fact, most of the songs on here are short enough to capture all the energy lasting long enough without overdoing it.
Like I just said, I'm not the biggest hardcore fan out there, but I found that this EP had a lot of moments that reminded me of Poison The Well, especially the vocals. The screams are very passionate, but there are also those moments during a slowdown where the vocalist will go into a yelling/speaking part that totally reminds me of Jeffrey Moreira. I have to say that there are some riffs on here that also remind me of that band, there's a sense of melody to the songs that really manages to keep me interested, as well as the angular sound of several of them, hear Colossus or Chat Noir.
Overall, I have to say that this was a pretty good release, even if it's from a style that isn't really my thing. I have to say these guys are a band to watch, they have some cool riffs on here and have a knack for writing interesting songs. If you like hardcore, post-hardcore, or just want something a little different, than definitely check this out.
Overall Score: 7
Highlights: Words of Astaroth, Kidcalled Dreamer

Mechina - Conqueror (2011)

Band: Mechina
Country: Batavai, Illinois
Style: Industrial Black Metal
Label: Independent

It's been six years since Mechina's first full-length album, "The Assembly of Tyrants," was first released, and although the "Tyrannical Resurrection" EP was released back in 2007, it had no new material on it. This, the band's second proper album sees them continuing with their industrialized take on black metal within a similar box as the last. I can't say that the band has really shifted their style so much that it would be obvious anyway, it's more in the songwriting and overall catchiness that I found this to differ from their debut.
There are several different things coming together to make the sound of the group which may not be the most black metal way of sounding. The metal aspect of the band's sound is very rhythmic and dynamic, it's aggressive and focused on the guitar/drums being rhythmically synced up, I've heard comparisons to Fear Factory, and it is fitting. There is also a heavy use of symphonic elements on here as well, which can bring the Dimmu Borgir vibe at times, opener Pray to The Winds for example. There is also the inclusion of other electronics into the sound, whether it be subtle textures or more noticeable techno sort of synthe melodies coming in and out of the sound.
Let me just say that Fear Factory fans will probably be able to get into this record a lot easier than a lot of black metal fans most likely will. There similarities to the band are pretty large, with the music perhaps being a bit more on the aggressive side and having a lot more of an orchestrated sort of sound, but besides that, this band is obviously very derivative of Fear Factory. The clean vocals on tracks like Non Serviam could be mistaken for Burton C. Bell's if you didn't know who you were listening to. Though, to reiterate, the orchestration is much more elaborate sounding and has a lot more in common with Dimmu Borgir rather than Fear Factory.
Despite it being pretty derivative, it's still a solid album and worth listening to. I can't say that at the moment these guys are on the cutting edge of the industrial black metal scene, but they are certainly doing something a bit different from some of the other groups right now. If you like Fear Factory or want a bit of something different in your black metal, definitely check out this album.
Overall Score: 7
Highlights: Anti-Theist, Internecion, Conqueror